COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
While shortness of breath may be your constant companion if you have COPD, experiencing it while eating can be very frustrating. It can also lead to malnutrition, a common complication of COPD.
If you are finding it difficult to complete a meal, try these 7 tips to help you manage shortness of breath during mealtimes:
1. Clear Your Airways Before Eating
Before you eat, make sure you attempt to clear your airways of mucus. This will help you breathe better while eating.
2. Eat and Chew Your Food Slowly
Take small bites and chew your food slowly. Be sure to breathe while you are eating. Put your utensils down between bites to ensure that you eat slower. This will help you retain energy, making it easier to breathe.
3. Eat Foods That Are Easy To Chew
Eating foods that are easy to chew will help you conserve energy so you have more for breathing.
4. Eat Smaller, More Frequent Meals
Instead of eating 3 larger meals, try eating 6 smaller meals. This will keep your stomach from feeling too full and make it easier to breathe.
5. Save Beverages Until After Your Eat
When you drink liquids during your meals, you may have a tendency to fill up quicker causing you to feel full or bloated. This can cause difficulty breathing.
Try waiting until the end of your meal to drink your beverages. But, of course, if you need to, sip water while you eat to make the food go down easier.
6. Eat While Sitting Upright
Lying down or slumping while eating can cause pressure on your diaphragm. Sitting in an upright position while eating can help reduce pressure and allow you to breathe better.
7. Use Pursed-Lip Breathing
While eating, if it becomes difficult to breathe, try using pursed-lip breathing until you catch your breath.
I have posted this before but I thought that some of might find the information helpful as I have.
I didnt have problems with eating when I was in the earlier stages of My COPD.
Now I pay more close attention to how and when what I eat.
These little tips do make a big difference to me now
As with everything I post, my hope is that someone is helped by the information and it makes your life a little bit easier.
Breath Easy, and Have a Marvelous day,
Holly
If you are finding it difficult to complete a meal, try these 7 tips to help you manage shortness of breath during mealtimes:
1. Clear Your Airways Before Eating
Before you eat, make sure you attempt to clear your airways of mucus. This will help you breathe better while eating.
2. Eat and Chew Your Food Slowly
Take small bites and chew your food slowly. Be sure to breathe while you are eating. Put your utensils down between bites to ensure that you eat slower. This will help you retain energy, making it easier to breathe.
3. Eat Foods That Are Easy To Chew
Eating foods that are easy to chew will help you conserve energy so you have more for breathing.
4. Eat Smaller, More Frequent Meals
Instead of eating 3 larger meals, try eating 6 smaller meals. This will keep your stomach from feeling too full and make it easier to breathe.
5. Save Beverages Until After Your Eat
When you drink liquids during your meals, you may have a tendency to fill up quicker causing you to feel full or bloated. This can cause difficulty breathing.
Try waiting until the end of your meal to drink your beverages. But, of course, if you need to, sip water while you eat to make the food go down easier.
6. Eat While Sitting Upright
Lying down or slumping while eating can cause pressure on your diaphragm. Sitting in an upright position while eating can help reduce pressure and allow you to breathe better.
7. Use Pursed-Lip Breathing
While eating, if it becomes difficult to breathe, try using pursed-lip breathing until you catch your breath.
I have posted this before but I thought that some of might find the information helpful as I have.
I didnt have problems with eating when I was in the earlier stages of My COPD.
Now I pay more close attention to how and when what I eat.
These little tips do make a big difference to me now
As with everything I post, my hope is that someone is helped by the information and it makes your life a little bit easier.
Breath Easy, and Have a Marvelous day,
Holly
I'm sure this post is going to help a lot of people.
Happy weekend to one and all.
Peta x
Gratitude sets in when I think about how I finally stopped smoking, no longer burning holes in my sports coats, and am tackling my copd now instead of when too late.
Good topic about food and breathing.
Elzier
Sally excellent your wearing the oxygen while eating.
elzier you seem to have a good handle on your COPD
MrsTDC and Peta thanks for responding, I hope that this post helps some of us with eating.
I have been having a problem with swallowing from time to time.
Do you any of you experience that problem?
I tuck my head down when I swallow and it seems to help.
I thank you each for your responses.
I hope the post and your responses help others with our problem with COPD.
Love to each of you with Easy Breathing,
Holly